A highly specific and high extraction-rate method for the analysis of dimethyl phthalate (DMP), diethyl phthalate (DEP), di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP), diisobutyl phthalate (DiBP), and di-(2-ethyl) hexyl phthalate (DEHP) in tea samples was developed. Based on three-factor Box–Behnken response surface design, solid-phase extraction (SPE) of five phthalate ester (PAE) residues in tea was optimized. Optimal extraction conditions were found for extraction temperature (40 °C), extraction time (12 h), and ratio of tea to n-hexane (1:20). The dynamic distribution of PAEs at each stage of black tea processing was also analyzed, and it was found that the baking process was the main stage of PAE emission, indicating that traditional processing of black tea significantly degrades PAEs. Further, principal component analysis of the physicochemical properties and processing factors of the five PAEs identified the main processing stages affecting the release of PAEs, and it was found that the degradation of PAEs during black tea processing is also related to its own physicochemical properties, especially the octanol–water partition coefficient. These results can provide important references for the detection, determination of processing losses, and control of maximum residue limits (MRLs) of PAEs to ensure the quality and safety of black tea.

Phthalate esters (PAEs) are emerging pollutants which are widely distributed in agricultural environments, and their impacts on crops have attracted considerable attention. PAEs on crops can disrupt their normal physiological metabolism, deteriorate the quality of agricultural products, and pose potential risks to human health through the food chain. Here, based on existing studies, we consolidate recent findings on the occurrence, sources, phytotoxicity, and control measures of PAEs in cash crops. Specifically, the pollution status of PAEs in cash crops was investigated. PAEs enter plants through water, soil, the atmosphere, and packaging materials via wastewater contamination, the degradation of plastic waste, and emissions from industrial processes. PAEs can induce oxidative stress in cash crops, disrupt photosynthetic pathways, and alter soil- and plant-associated microbial communities, leading to physiological and metabolic disorders that significantly reduce the yield and quality of cash crops. Consequently, recent studies have explored and developed more advanced mitigation strategies, such as enzymatic degradation, the use of microbial communities, and the development of new treatment materials and technologies. Overall, this review provides a comprehensive assessment of current research on PAEs in cash crops and offers insights into existing challenges and future prospects for ensuring the quality and safety of agricultural products.